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CHANGE OF PROMOTER, CHANGE TO ASA FOR SILVER DOLLAR SPEEDWAY AND PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY |
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10, 2009 --- John Padjen is well known among the Sprint Car world, and his two racetracks – Silver Dollar Speedway and Placerville Speedway – are well known for providing the most entertainment for Sprint Car enthusiasts in California. Now, he brings in his son to take over the promoter duties and the duo brings both of those facilities to the ASA Member Track program. Alan Handy (a.k.a. Alan Padjen of Handy Racing Promotions) takes over the role occupied by his father for so many years as promoter of two legendary racetracks, but has been groomed for this opportunity for more than 30 years. “With over 30 years in the business both Dad and my mom, Robbie, wanted to take a step back and slow down a bit more,” Handy said of Padjen’s stepping out of the promoter role. “But we have always worked together as a family and I’ve been right beside him learning the business for over 30 years. I am not trying to fill his shoes and I give him all the credit in the world for what he and my mom have accomplished. But I have been around racing my whole life and I am ready to roll,” he enthusiastically added. Padjen was the 2006 National Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, and a 2008 promoter inductee into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. To say that he is well respected in the industry is an understatement. “This is going to be a transition year for the two racetracks,” Handy explained. “I plan to take the strong foundation built by the California Fairgrounds Association, the fair management, board members and my parents and move it up to the next level. There are several ideas that I would like to try out over the next three to five years, but I am not saying that I plan to make a lot of changes. I want to maintain the important role for family, friends and all the employees who have helped these racetracks succeed over the last 34 years.” Some of the things that Handy mentioned as areas for future improvements include upgrading the facilities, tighten the format for the race programs, and learning from the other ASA Member Tracks about things that have been successful for them. Combined, Silver Dollar Raceway, located in Chico, Calif., and Placerville (Calif.) Speedway will host more than 60 events during the 2009 season. The primary divisions at each of the racetracks are Sprint Cars which hurdle around the clay quarter-mile tracks to the delight of the crowds. There is a lot of information available online about both Silver Dollar Raceway and Placerville Speedway including schedules, results, and of course, the latest news. For details, check out www.JohnPadjenMotorsports.com or www.HandyRacingPromotions.com. Silver Dollar Speedway will play host to the World of Outlaws twice this upcoming season. For the first time since 1993 the WoO drivers will compete in the Mini Gold Cup on March 13 and 14. They will make a return visit for the Gold Cup Race of Champions which runs from September 9 to 12. This will mark the 30th consecutive Gold Cup race dating back to 1979. “The Gold Cup is really our version of the Indy 500,” said Handy. “We have had a great relationship with the World of Outlaws drivers and officials over the years. They look forward to the date on the schedule for the Gold Cup, and it is one of the highlights of the season for our fan base.” Even though the current economic climate has many short track owners nervously looking at the upcoming season, Handy doesn’t seem too concerned about the 2009 season. “You know, people were really nervous last year too,” he said about 2008. “But it seemed like a lot of people just consolidated what they were doing with their money and time and just got back to doing the things that they really enjoyed - and, thank goodness - at least in our case, it was racing. Our car counts were stronger than ever last year and all indications so far are that they should be solid again all year. It’s going to be scary out there with the economy, but I think our two racetracks are going to have a solid year.” Both racetracks will be participants in the ASA Member Track program, the first time that either has been part of the American Speed Association. “Now that I could really see the costs involved in running a facility, Dad told me to look at the ASA,” Handy said. “Once we started talking to Dennis (Huth, president of Racing Speed Associates which owns the American Speed Association) and had many phone calls back and forth, I think it became very clear that the ASA Member Track program offers a great plan, not only for the racetrack but also for the competitors. The insurance they offer is a really sweet plan, and I found it’s better than anything else out there in the short track industry. I think that the ASA is going to be really good for us, and I hope that we can help them as well.” “A lot of the reason we decided to join the ASA has to do with being able to work with Dennis (Huth) and also Laura Hauenstein over at WSIB Motorsports Insurance. Dennis has so much experience in the short track world that I felt it was important to align myself with him. Of course, the ASA insurance package had a lot to do with that as well. Insurance is the type of thing that you hope that you never ever need, but you want to make sure that if the day comes that you do need it then obviously you want the very best insurance package available,” added Handy. ASA members in good standing are eligible for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member begins while traveling to a location promoting an ASA-sanctioned event and continues until arrival home again. The American Speed Association is the only sanctioning body to offer insurance coverage which extends beyond the boundary of the racetrack itself (complete details are available online at www.ASA-Racing.com). “I am truly honored that men as respected and with the credentials that John (Padjen) and Alan (Handy) have in the industry would align their two racetracks to the ASA Member Track program,” said Huth, “Having these nationally-recognized racetracks involved certainly elevates the program for everyone. I have known John for many years and been in awe by his accomplishments. And knowing that Alan has worked alongside his father for so long guarantees that his knowledge about racetrack management and promotion is second to none.” “Instead of saying ‘welcome to the ASA,’ I think it would be more appropriate to say “thank you for choosing to join the ASA Member Track program’,” Huth exclaimed. To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based ASA Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com. |
